Baby-Growing Aches and Pains: A Guide to Muscle Pain During Pregnancy

by Sergey Kochelayev | Sep 30, 2020 | Advice, Injury, Pregnancy, Wellness

Baby-Growing Aches and Pains: A Guide to Muscle Pain During Pregnancy

Name: Amazing Life Chiropractic And Wellness
Address: 800 164th St SE STE O, Mill Creek, WA, 98012, US
Telephone: (425) 737-5343

Pregnancy brings with it many different ailments that women may not have experienced previously. Extreme headaches, food aversions and nausea, pregnancy rhinitis, bleeding gums, a weakened immune system, and muscle aches and pains are all common during pregnancy.

Muscle aches can really put a damper on enjoying your pregnancy and keep you from doing many of the things you are used to doing. The good news is that you don’t have to suffer through them for nine months. Muscle pain during pregnancy can often be treated with rest and stretching and when at-home treatments aren’t cutting it, a chiropractor can help.

Read on to learn more.

Lower Back Pain

This is one of the most common types of pregnancy muscle pains. The weight that you gain during pregnancy combined with a shifting center of gravity due to your growing abdomen puts stress on your lumbar spine. Pregnant women, especially during the later months of pregnancy, often alter their gait to compensate for this shift, which also contributes to low back pain.

Stretching, rest, and chiropractic care are the best ways to treat low back pain during pregnancy.

Round Ligament Pain

Round ligament pain is often worst during the second trimester. Between weeks 16 and 26, your uterus grows quickly and relocates from your pelvis into your abdomen. This can cause pain in the round ligaments that support the uterus.

You might feel this pain only on one side or both sides and it could be a sharp, stabbing pain or more of a throbbing, achy pain. You’ll feel this pain the most near your pubic bones.

Like lower back pain, round ligament pain is best treated with rest, stretching, and chiropractic care. .

Leg Cramps

Leg cramps are very common during pregnancy, likely due to weight gain, changes in circulation, and pinching of nerves that often happens. These often happen at night and if you’ve ever woken up with a Charley horse, you know how excruciating they can be. The good news is that they usually come and go quickly and it’s not constant pain.

Make sure you are drinking enough water during the day, as that can often contribute to muscle cramping. When you feel a leg cramp coming on, gently stretch your leg, avoid pointing your toes, and instead pull your toes back towards your knee. You can also try to massage the muscle to work out the cramp.

Sciatica

Your sciatic nerve runs from the base of your spine down both sides of your hips and glutes, then down to your feet. Any changes in posture, particularly ones that come about during pregnancy, can put pressure on it, causing pain. It could be a shooting pain or could feel like tingling or numbness anywhere along the nerve.

Regular movement (avoid staying in the same position too long) and walking around regularly to stretch out can help alleviate this pain.

You Don’t Have to Live With Muscle Pain During Pregnancy

Muscle pain during pregnancy is inevitable, but you don’t have to suffer day in and day out. Stretching, getting plenty of rest, and using acetaminophen can help you relieve your pain on a daily basis. When these strategies don’t help, though, consider seeking chiropractic care.

If you are in need of a massage or chiropractor, get in touch with us. Our providers at Amazing Life Chiropractic can help you spend less time in pain and more time enjoying your pregnancy.

Schedule Your Appointment Today or Call

(425) 737-5343

The Most Common Injuries From Landscaping Duties and How to Treat Them

by Sergey Kochelayev | Sep 28, 2020 | Advice, Injury, Wellness

Landscaping duties and services in the US cover a wide range, including lawn care, residential and commercial irrigation, landscape construction and design, and much more.

The industry is massive, earning over $99 billion in the year 2019 alone. That’s not surprising when you understand that the average American household spends about $503 on these activities per year. The landscaping industry is only growing, too.

This is all good news for you as a landscaping employee, but the job comes with some cautions. For example, many landscapers experience injuries, strain, and overexertion at some point in their careers.

Are you noticing signs of injury, such as joint pain? Or, are you looking for preventative tactics that allow you to stay safe while on the job?

Here, we highlight some of the most common issues and how to prevent or treat them. Keep reading!

Problem #1: Overexertion From Heavy Lifting

When you’re a landscaper, you’re dealing with a lot of equipment: lawnmowers, leaf vacuums, edgers, trenchers, and much more. Your landscaping duties also likely require you to lift and maneuver these things often, especially during transportation to and from a job site.

Lifting heavy objects repetitively or incorrectly can strain the back muscles and ligaments, causing mild to severe back pain and discomfort. Continuous strain on an already-weaker spine can even cause muscle spasms. In worst cases, you may experience bulging or ruptured discs, which eliminate the necessary cushioning in the spine.

Solution: Know the Proper Lifting Techniques

One of the best ways to prevent these back injuries is to lift objects correctly.

At all times, lift objects with the strength of your legs, not the back, bending at the knees. Keep your back lengthened and as straight as possible, taking care to not twist as you lift.

Keep the object close to you, avoid reaching, and always lift with a partner whenever possible.

Problem #2: Joint Pain From Bending and Kneeling

Knee pain is another common complaint of landscapers, as they’re almost constantly bending and kneeling as they work. These actions can also have adverse effects on the back.

There could be several reasons this motion causes you pain—not warming up; wearing bad shoes; squatting continuously throughout the day. The list goes on, and depends on the person.

Solution: Proper Protective Equipment

One way to help manage pain in the joints from bending and kneeling is by investing in protective equipment, such as knee braces and/or back braces, as well as knee cushions for kneeling.

Garden kneelers are an option, and provide a cushioned bench for gardeners to use when they must get close to the ground.

Another consideration would be custom orthotics, which can help solve a slew of problems, including knee and back pain, sciatica, leg length discrepancies, and more.

Make sure to talk to your doctor or chiropractor first if you have any questions!

Part of Your Landscaping Duties Require Physical Fitness

There’s no going around it: you can’t perform as well on the job if you’re dealing with pain, strain, or injuries.

If you become unable to work due to bad practices while on the job, you’ll soon be caught in a predicament. Your best bet is staying safe by practicing proper lifting techniques and wearing or using protective equipment designed to keep you well. These practices are all part of your landscaping duties.

For more preventative care, or treatment for current pain, we at Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness would love to help.

Treating Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy: How Chiropractic Care Helps

by Sergey Kochelayev | Sep 25, 2020 | Advice, Pregnancy, Wellness

Treating Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy: How Chiropractic Care Helps

A whopping 75% of pregnant women found pain relief by seeking chiropractic care during pregnancy.

The added weight on a woman’s body often contributes to lower back pain during pregnancy. It can also misalign the spine and can make labor more difficult.

Don’t settle for stretches and yoga classes. Chiropractors solve the root of the issue and give you professional health advice. If you’re experiencing pain and stress with your pregnancy, read on for the benefits of visiting a chiropractor.

Relieve Joint and Back Pain

The primary benefit of seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy is relief from strain on your lower back.

Chiropractors not only reduce constant lower back pain during pregnancy, but they can also relieve stress on your joints. Your entire body can ache from the extra weight. Chiropractors make small adjustments to help ease pain and correct posture.

Why reduce the pain? It may feel like a normal part of pregnancy, but it can be detrimental to your everyday functioning. Check the pregnancy mobility index to see how loss of mobility might affect you.

Reduce Nausea

Seeing a chiropractor during your pregnancy can surprisingly reduce morning sickness symptoms.

Through the realignment of your spine, chiropractors improve nervous system functioning. This eases feelings of nausea and boosts your immune system. Coupled with diet changes and other techniques, this can work wonders for your symptoms.

Prevent Long-term Health Complications

Visiting a chiropractor will not only help your pregnancy but also your long-term health.

The strain of pregnancy and birth can cause lasting damage to hips, back, and pelvis. A woman’s body also undergoes radical mood and hormonal changes during this time. Her immune system, bones, and muscles can weaken.

Prevent issues during and after pregnancy by visiting a chiropractor. He or she can also recommend pregnancy stretches for lower back pain to further improve health.

Ease Labor Process

Did you know there’s a specific chiropractic technique to help with labor?

The Webster technique helps align the pelvis for an easier birthing process. And don’t worry, there’s no risk to the infant during this technique. In fact, it can prevent complications during labor and emergency c-sections.

Improve Mood and Pregnancy Experience

A difficult pregnancy leads many women to avoid getting pregnant again. The lack of sleep, constant stress, aches, nausea, and other symptoms can put a strain on the mother’s mental well-being.

Why not let a chiropractor ease physical symptoms so you can get back to being the happiest, healthiest version of you? A low mood coupled with stress can affect your child as well. Get your immune and nervous system into good shape so you can be ready to deliver your little angel!

Treating Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy

Pregnancy doesn’t need to be an excruciating nine months.

Find a certified chiropractor to ease your lower back pain during pregnancy. He or she can turn your experience from an exhausting one into the exciting adventure motherhood should be.

Looking for low back pregnancy treatment in the Mill Creek area? Check out the chiropractic services on our website today!

TREAT YOUR BACK PAIN TODAY!

5 Amazing Activities That Boost Your Immune System

by Sergey Kochelayev | Sep 10, 2020 | Advice, Wellness

A 2016 survey in the US found that 3% of Americans have either a weakened, suppressed, or compromised immune system. Some researchers even believe that the numbers are rising, thanks in large part to medical advances that allow immuno-compromised individuals to live longer.

That percentage may not sound like a lot—but when you consider that you or your loved ones could fall into that category, the stakes become higher.

Are you considering ways to support and strengthen your immune system? If so, you’ve come to the right place.

Here, we list a handful of activities that help boost your immunity. Keep reading!

1. Physical Activity

You might be wondering, Does physical activity boost the immune system? It does, and in fact, it may be one of the most natural ways to boost your immunity!

In short, regular exercise can:

Improve your mental health (not exactly immunity-related, but a great bonus)
Lower your risk of illness
Increase the circulation of immune cells
Improve your immune response
Reduce harmful inflammation

Experts recommend an aerobic activity that lasts less than an hour, done regularly throughout the week (without overdoing it). This includes everything from walking to running, attending a spin class, or using the elliptical.

2. Quitting Bad Habits

This may not seem like an “activity,” but you can make it one! Record your highs and lows, progress and setbacks in a journal or with friends to make it more fun—and to hold yourself accountable.

Some habits to consider kicking include:

Smoking cigarettes
Excessive use of alcohol
Lack of sleep (more on that later)
A poor diet

3. Getting Adequate Sleep

Resting is an activity—and let’s admit, it’s a fulfilling one!

Not getting adequate sleep is detrimental to your immune system. On the flip side, getting good sleep fosters it.

When you sleep, your body creates cytokines, which are proteins that target infection and inflammation. The fewer sleep you get, the fewer cytokines your body produces. Not only does rest produce these proteins, but it releases them, too.

Sound sleep: it’s a win-win!

4. Visiting the Sauna

The health benefits of sauna-going are enticing!

The heat from saunas can reduce inflammation, improve your immune response, and reduce harmful physical stress, which takes its own toll on the body’s immune response.

If you’re looking for ways to improve your immune function, use your local sauna for about 15 to 20 minutes tops (to avoid dehydration).

5. Checking in With Your Chiropractor

The best chiropractor will support you in your entirety—beyond the mechanics of your spine. In addition to this, chiropractors emphasize your body healing itself without the use of prescription drugs and/or surgery.

The relationship between your body’s structure and its function is undeniable, and it’s something that’s significantly studied in the chiropractic world. The bond between these two things promotes the preservation and restoration of health, as well as the body’s natural recuperative power.

So, it might be time to visit your local chiropractor and see what they have to say about your nervous system, general physical health, and stress and anxiety levels.

Don’t Wait to Boost Your Immune System

If you’ve noticed one thing about these activities, it’s probably that they’re actionable on a daily basis. Additionally, they’re relatively simple to incorporate into your day-to-day.

Your immune system greatly depends on your efforts—your good habits, your sleeping patterns, your exercise levels, and more. If you can practice these activities regularly, you’ll be glad you did.

At Amazing Life Chiropractic & Wellness, we strive to make you feel better, and we’re not just talking about your spinal health! We take a well-rounded approach that observes everything from your physical activity to your body’s general well-being.

If you’re a new patient, click here to request an appointment with our talented team. We look forward to hearing from you.

How to Boost Your Immune System When Pregnant: 5 Natural Methods

by Sergey Kochelayev | Sep 4, 2020 | Advice, Pregnancy, Wellness

How to Boost Your Immune System When Pregnant: 5 Natural Methods

Now more than ever, a healthy immune system is a top priority for every individual. This point is especially valid for pregnant women, as their immunity affects not only them but their babies, too.

In a nutshell, the immune system fights against infection, as well as protects from future reinfections. A weak immune system leaves individuals prone to sickness, conditions, and more.

Are you wondering how to boost the immune system when pregnant? Do you have other questions about pregnancy and immunity—such as, does pregnancy actually weaken immune systems?

These are all valid questions, and we want to provide you with as many scientifically-backed answers as possible. Keep reading for more.

Does Pregnancy Weaken Immune Systems?

While pregnancy does alter the immune system, it doesn’t weaken it.

It’s been long-believed that carrying a child can weaken a woman’s immune system—in reality, an aggressive immune system response is essential for fertilization. The immune system is so smart that its strength or weakness is precisely timed for implantation to take place when it’s most beneficial for Mom and baby.

For an embryo to implant at all, immune cells flood the womb’s lining, and the immune system remains in this heightened state for the first 12 weeks. This process allows the fetus to establish fully.

How to Boost the Immune System When Pregnant: 5 Natural Ways

Naturally boosting your immune system when pregnant is simple.

Consider the following five tips, always consulting with your primary care physician if any questions arise:

Drinking plenty of fluids, primarily water
Enjoying light exercises (with permission from your doctor), such as walking, stretching, prenatal yoga, and other low-impact activities
Making sleep a priority, which can mean several things: eliminating caffeine, participating in regular movement, aiming for 7-8 hours a night, removing distractions, etc.
Eating nutritious foods, such as leafy greens, salmon, natural probiotics (such as Greek yogurt), almonds, etc., while also eliminating unhealthy foods such as processed sugars or excess gluten
Getting the recommended 85mg of vitamin C every day, which can be done with supplements or by eating fruits and veggies high in vitamin C

It’s always important to discuss these things with your doctor to ensure you’re staying safe. For example, a doctor wouldn’t recommend taking vitamin C if you’re already taking a prenatal, which likely has enough vitamin C in it already.

Another Consideration: Chiropractic and Pregnancy Immunity Benefits

We’ve got another bonus tip for you: paying the chiropractor a visit. A thorough chiropractor can not only increase your mobility, but also takes a holistic approach that observes your general nutrition and wellness.

Another benefit of seeing the local chiropractor is Webster’s Technique, which is an approach designed with the safety of pregnant women in mind. It can actually encourage the baby to get into a position that makes the birthing process more comfortable and more straightforward for the mother.

In addition to all this, a chiropractor can assist with lower back pain (a common ailment of pregnant women), muscle pains, headaches, and so much more.

Healthy You, Healthy Baby

Now that you know how to boost the immune system when pregnant, you’re well on your way to a healthy life for you and your baby-to-be. None of these methods require the use of chemicals or medication—allowing you the peace of mind that is so needed during pregnancy.

Click here to request an appointment with Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness. We look forward to hearing from you.

How to Naturally Increase Your Immune System

by Sergey Kochelayev | Aug 31, 2020 | Advice, Wellness

How to Increase Your Immune System: 3 Tips to Improve Your Immunity Naturally

Certain studies report that early 3% of American adults have a weakened immune system. Those with some of the weakest immune systems include women, those in their 50s, and white people. However, anyone can have a weak immune system, regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, and other factors.

Are you one of those with a less-than-healthy immune system?

If so, you’ve likely landed here for a reason—you’re looking for a way to change that. You’re wondering how to increase your immune system naturally, whether through supplements, chiropractic treatment, exercise, and the like.

In this guide, we have the answers you seek. Whether it’s how to increase your immune system with food or fluids, or something else entirely, we take a well-rounded approach. Keep reading for more.

Simple (But Significant) Tips on How to Improve Your Immune System

Strengthening your immune response doesn’t have to be complicated. You can practice these guidelines without the need for fancy regimens, costly appointments at the doctor, or fads.

Without further ado, here are data-backed ways to get healthier.

1. Drink Your Water

Does staying hydrated help your immune system?

In fact, it does!

Our immune system depends on our bloodstream, which is full of nutrients. Our bloodstream depends on water, which it’s mostly made of—therefore, a hydrated bloodstream equals a healthier one. Without hydration, those nutrients don’t have the transportation necessary to make it to our organs.

Hydration also contributes to several other bodily functions, such as the detoxification of pathways in the body and clearing out waste and foreign invaders.

2. Visit Your Chiropractor

According to data, a chiropractic visit may be just the thing to boost your health.

When people think of a chiropractor, they think of spinal care, and that’d be accurate—but that’s not all a chiropractor does.

Many people visit their chiropractor when they have pain in the lower, mid-, or upper back. It helps to understand our nervous systems, too, which are directly affected by our spinal health. Since we operate in fight-or-flight (sympathetic nervous system) or rest-and-digest (parasympathetic), being able to relax, pain-free, is an excellent way to foster our well-being.

Chiropractors also tend to observe other aspects of the body, such as tightness or tension, as well as common ailments, like headaches or even plantar fasciitis.

3. Focus on Nutrition

Nutrition and diet obviously play a massive role in our immune systems. The more nutritious, well-rounded, and vitamin-rich your diet, the better your immune system can function.

Doctors recommend a balanced portion of the following items, among others:

Berries (vitamin C!)
Mushrooms
Oysters, which have a healthy amount of zinc
Yogurts, like Greek yogurt, which is high in probiotics
Cruciferous greens like spinach or kale

It’s crucial to limit your usage of alcohol, as well as intake of processed sugar, fried foods, bad fats, and more.

If possible, try to get most of these vitamins from food. However, you may need to take supplements depending on lifestyle and other factors. Supplements are an excellent natural way to boost your immunity—but it’s important to take the appropriate amounts.

Make Wellness a Priority

When it comes to how to increase your immune system, there are many things you can do independently—make movement a priority, as well as diet and sleep, and other positive habits—stuff in your control.

Some things, however, are better left to an expert; that includes visiting a chiropractor.

Book an appointment with us and get so much more than an improved range of motion. Learn how to build a healthier immune system, too. We look forward to hearing f

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Your immune system fights off different illnesses in your body, which is why it’s good to know how to increase your immune system. Here are 3 tips.

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